Georgia Transsexual Man Called ‘It’ by Police Pushes for End to Harassment

Juan Evans, a transsexual man who was harassed and dehumanized by police officers in East Point, Ga., received a small measure of justice this week after hearing a heartfelt apology from the town’s mayor. But he is continuing to seek an apology and an indication of future changes from the town’s police department.

On October 23, Evans was pulled over by police for speeding. Having left his wallet at his office several blocks away, Evans identified himself by providing his birth name, birth date, social security number, and address. He told officers he was a transsexual after an officer accused him of lying.

In response, a police officer allegedly demanded to search Evans’ genitals on the side of the road to determine his gender. When Evans refused, he says the officer laughed and stated, “I have a right to search your mother’s genitals to find out who you are.”

Isn’t that the truth Xena?
Doesn’t it take a lot more energy to hate?
I really have always been optomistic, but this reasoning for hatred is just too much.
We have a lot more hate and a lot more guns.
The two are lethal.

Lolypop,
In my spiritual understanding, hate is like a malignant cancer, eating on the inside. We here don’t want it to be contagious. Some people have guns out of hate and/or fear. It’s like a drug or alcoholism that gives them false courage where they do things with guns that they would not normally do.

Mankind can live without hate and fear, but it’s up to each individual. As the lyrics of a song say, “Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.”

You’re right Xena,
Like my friend says, he knows he can start by helping in his community or his neighbor and that is the truth.
And I like if you feel peace you want everyone to have it.
And like you said it begins with me.
I know some times I fear, but I don’t own a gun.
I’m not against them at all and I know plenty of people that have them, but they would never praise their guns or misuse them.
You’re right I believe to some they are like a drug.
You’re so wise. Really!!!
You help keep me feel less fear in just the way you say things. : )
I appreciate it so much.

When Norm goes to the tree of life and asks for guidance, help…………I always burst in to tears when all of the animals listen to the wisdom that is fed throughout the land, because of the connection they all share. They all respond……..

That is beautiful!! : )
When my granddaughter was about 5, we were on the plane and she got up real close to me and put her eye up to mine and said gramma can you see me in your eye?
I thought that was really something then, but now I know it REALLY was something. : )
I love that.
Thanks again!! : )

Lolypop,
If you haven’t seen the movie “Avatar,” I recommend it. It’s a study on many levels. I’m watching it again (lost count for how many times I’ve seen it), but this time, I’m focusing on the character Norm. He came in as a scientist but ended up being a warrior, risking his life to save the people and their connection to their god. As a scientist, he was not suppose to believe in “magic.”

Thank you for re-blogging this post Xena. Atrocious behavior, but the remark ” “I have a right to search your mother’s genitals to find out who you are” is so over the top vile its hard to fathom someone would actually let it come out of their mouth.

While the person that committed this vile and cruel act is a police officer, to just put the blame on that individual or the police department is not sufficient. This person was emboldened by the community that he serves, perhaps not on the surface, but in private, you can rest assured that there is a lot of hate and distrust for people that do not conform to their standards. Will we as a nation survive long enough to accept that all people have equal rights and deserve to be treated equally? It never ceases to amaze me that we are a nation that, from the claims of many people, is allegedly a Christian Nation, yet so many of those alleged Christian individuals act in a manner that is definitely not according to their own religious scripture…

I am in a deep, post-election depression. I wish I could see some reason for hope and optimism – about anything in our society – but I just can’t. And I’m exhausted from trying. So very, very exhausted. My heart is too heavy to bear. Our society isn’t going to get better within the next decade, probably not within my lifetime, and perhaps never. Just look at how our society votes. That’s “us” – and “we’re” an ugly bunch.

Annie,
I can relate. Illinois just elected a Republican Governor. The last one we had went to prison, and the Democrate Governor after him. I respected Governor Quinn for fighting hard against conceal carry in Illinois, and since he was in office for years without a federal indictment, thought that Illinois citizens would re-elect him.

since he was in office for years without a federal indictment, thought that Illinois citizens would re-elect him

You even managed to get a little smile out of me from that quote. Sorry if it feels like it’s at your expense – but it’s really not. It’s just that my husband grew up in the Chicago area (La Grange), and we sometimes laugh about the “colorful” history of Illinois governors.

But I, too, hated hearing that even Illinois turned to the dark side yesterday and elected a Repugnant for governor.

My spirits were crushed when I heard about the voter turnout in my state, and much of the other states as well. I was hoping the people would come out in droves to vote, so even being disabled, I got myself up at 6:00, and was at my voting site by 6:30, waiting for them to open at 7:00.

Yet, as I watched the news throughout the day, all I saw were “Empty” voting booths, and all of the officials that everyone complained about, have retained their seats.

How can anyone ever condemn another’s actions, or inactions, if they fail to speak out, or even show up to vote?

There are oceans and rivers
Enough to cross, enough to last
‘Till the end of time.

Hi, yahtzee. I can’t disagree with the sentiment, Yahtzee. I come from that same school of thought.

> However, our society in the USA is very purposefully and steadily aimed in the complete OPPOSITE direction.
> Also, there are NO LONGER enough oceans and rivers (and their associated species of life) that will “last ’til the end of time,” based on the direction we’re headed.

As much as I’ve hung onto the values and goals that formulated my very being, there seems no escaping the fact that those are utterly passe in today’s society. And that is what is breaking my heart right now.

How the heck can we realistically expect to see “love” becoming a factor in our modern day society? I’m just not seeing that as a modern-day or near-future value. I’d love to be convinced, but I’m not willing to just blindly “hope” anymore. I’ll appreciate any help in this regard.

Oh Annie, for every ounce of bad in this world, there are pounds of good that only needs to be uncovered.

I remember the good ole days……..Motown……….Woodstock…….and the fights for equality, civil rights…..the wars………..

But I was younger then, and saw all of it as a way of life, as I trudged through it, on my way to having my own family, and growing older.

Now mind you, at that time, my parents felt the same way we do today! They felt the world was going to hell in a hand basket, and people had lost the ability to care for one another anymore. Our Soldiers were returning home from Vietnam, and being spat on in the streets. My parents were appalled by Woodstock, calling it nothing more than a sick gathering place for drug users. There were wars, wars of color, drugs and civil rights, throughout Detroit, when I grew up there. To my parents………………because of all this………they saw no hope.

Now I am the Parent, and Grandparent. And much like you, I feel very anxious, and disappointed with our society of today. (I feel just like my parents did over 50 years ago) Though the times and problems may change, it seems to affect us more as we age, and our knowledge of government (or lack of) combined with all of the terror issues, civil rights, wars, courts, injustice…………

My point is this dear friend, we will always, generation after generation, face what we think is the impossible to conquer. We will feel depressed, angry, frustrated……………

Until? You see that sweet, innocent smile of a child. Watch a sunrise. Sign a petition for equality. Listen to friend that’s hurting. Try to do at least one genuine good deed a day. Smile at a stranger, and watch the shock turn into warmth. Tune out the news! (I do. I can’t change the elections, so I refuse to let them change me!)

You are full of Love Annie. I see it in what you write, and how much you care.

Please, just look around you.

I work one day a month in my local shelter, and one day in my church, cooking for those that need a meal.

I look around me and I see a very troubled world Annie, but I also see So Much Love!

I guess I’ve probably always had depressive tendencies. I remember when I was young and restless and stressing about world issues – e.g., Vietnam, the nuclear arms race, civil rights, other injustices, etc. – my dad (a doctor who trained in the early 1940s) told me not to lose faith or abandon hope, because you just never know what tremendous improvement might be just around the corner.

For example, he said, when he was young, people routinely died of bacterial illnesses that later became mere nuisances due to the discovery of penicillin. And people were routinely crippled by polio, but then a vaccine was developed that essentially eradicated it.

My dad has moved on to a better place, now. But I can’t count the number of times in my life that I’ve felt despair … and then I’d remind myself, “Remember penicillin!”

Between “penicillin” and the Desiderata poem (how’s that for showing my age?), as well as having supportive people around me, I’ve always managed to find peace after despair, and I reckon I will this time, too. But now I’ll add to my repertoire – being conscious of and contributing to the love and beauty in my immediate environment (and turning off the dang news!) – thanks to you.

“I’d love to be convinced, but I’m not willing to just blindly “hope” anymore.”

I need to do more than hope.

While it is tempting to give in to exhaustion, I refuse to give up because I will never allow the haters and racists to have even one gleeful moment…I will never allow them to act with no resistance from me. I will never “self” chain my voice nor submit when things seem bleak.

from “Carry It On”lyrics

When you can’t go on any longer,
Take the hand, hand of your brother,
Every victory brings another, Carry it on, carry it on.

“Freedom IS a constant struggle.”

Just as in a football game, advocates for justice, freedom, and equality will sometimes have to deal with interceptions, tackles, missed passes, and fumbles, but the goal is still clear. We WILL have successful touchdown passes and must maintain a strong team spirit and grit to work the ball down the field to MANY future touchdowns!

It’s all about teamwork and knowing how to rotate players in and out for rest and recuperation in order to keep the team strong and successful.

Now more than ever we need to stay in the game and use our abilities to the fullest. We must play the FULL season and not be disheartened when a game is lost.

We have to do it for those who come after us.

Love you too, Annie!

p.s.
Here are some helpful words of wisdom from a tweeter in Ferguson who has been pushing for justice for Michael Brown:

Charles Wade @akacharleswade
Burnout is real. And we have to understand that a great help to this movement is to pace ourselves so we can endure for the long haul.

Thank you so very much for your incredibly helpful and rallying response. Your “fight” and energy and caring never cease to amaze me – and you definitely do understand where I was at. (I say “was” because I’m working my way out of it, even if not completely out yet!)

It’s all about teamwork and knowing how to rotate players in and out for rest and recuperation in order to keep the team strong and successful.

Amen to that, yahtzee. I think I’ve been feeling the need to rotate out for R&R, and it reached a head yesterday, for sure. But I will get my R&R and be back on your team probably sooner rather than later. You’re the best coach I’ve ever known!

Just know that I, too, have needed support and encouragement over the months and have received it from so many people here in our wonderful community.

And, just think of those wonderful times that Xena has offered us refreshment and “refueling” words and articles. I am appreciative of our caring “family” here and the beautiful atmosphere of mutual love and support.

And, Annie, I am glad to hear that you are taking a well-earned R&R. You have contributed SO much here. Thanks for all you do!

Take all the time that you need and please realize you do not need to rush to return here.